10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Oklahoma City

State capital Oklahoma City is a bustling hub on the southern Great Plains, roughly in the center of the oil-rich state. Known as "The Big Friendly," the city was settled during the 1889 "Land Run," though Native Americans lived in the region long before. In 1995, the capital sadly became famous when a bomb attack claimed 168 lives. A national memorial now remembers the victims and survivors of that tragedy.

Many of the city's top sightseeing attractions are set in the historic former warehouse district of Bricktown. Museums, event venues, and restaurants create a picturesque neighborhood on the Bricktown Canal with its small water taxis. And for a true taste of ranchland life, visitors can plan their trip to catch a stockyard auction.

1 Oklahoma City National Memorial

Oklahoma City National Memorial

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This outdoor memorial is a tribute to the victims, survivors, rescuers, and others affected by the events of April 19, 1995, when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed. The reflecting pool and field of empty chairs have become well-known symbols of the city, and visitors can walk through the solemn setting. To find out more about the tragedy, visitors can tour the exhibits at the nearby Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.

2 Oklahoma City Zoo

Red pandas at Oklahoma City Zoo

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In operation for more than a century, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden engages tourists and families with more than 500 animal species (including some rare and endangered) and impressive garden displays. Kids enjoy interactive experiences such as giraffe feedings, sea lion shows, elephant demonstrations, and a stingray touch tank. Boat and train rides provide adventurous ways to explore the expansive park grounds.

3 Oklahoma City Museum of Art

The core collection at this Oklahoma gallery focuses on 19th- and 20th-century European and American art, but visiting works widen the scope. Touring national and international exhibitions complement permanent displays such as the bright art-glass work of the Seattle-area's Dale Chihuly. The museum also runs a popular film program.

4 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Also known as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, this large museum uncovers life in the Wild West with its large collections of historical materials, pictures, and sculptures. The Rodeo Hall of Fame features rodeo champions, but on-screen cowboys are also given a tip of the hat in their own hall of fame. Children can test the ranch-readiness of their skills in the Children's Cowboy Corral. To follow the cowboy theme, also plan a visit to the Oklahoma City Stockyards, where outdoor cattle pens fill for auctions every Monday and Tuesday.

Hours: Daily 10am-5pm

Admission: Adults $12.50, seniors and students $9.75, children (4-12) $5.75

6 Museum of Osteology

If this sightseeing attraction seems unusual, it's because it is. The bones of hundreds of animals make up the displays at the only skeleton museum in the United States. Thoughtfully presented specimens span big mammals to small critters, from apes and kangaroos to snakes and penguins. Activities are geared towards curious kids.

7 Oklahoma History Center

With lovely views of the domed Capitol building from its galleries, the Oklahoma History Center is a hub for archival and research materials relating to the state's wide-reaching history. The center oversees 35 museums, heritage homes, and military sites throughout the state, varying in topics from Route 66 to pioneer women.

8 45th Infantry Division Museum

The 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City is located in the Lincoln Park Armory, which dates to 1937. Exhibits at the museum include uniforms and firearms, displayed in an expansive facility that visitors can explore on a self-guided tour. The pieces tell the history of not only the 45th, established in 1920, but many worldwide conflicts. Perhaps most impressive are the dozens of military vehicles presented in a 15-acre outdoor park.

9 State Capitol

State Capitol

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The seat of government for the state, the Oklahoma State Capitol building was designed and built between 1914 and 1917, though its grand central dome wasn't completed until 2002. The classic Greco-Roman structure has an Indiana limestone exterior and an Oklahoma pink and black granite base. Guided and self-guided tours are available daily. Government business keeps the campus a busy place.

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat and Sun 9am-4pm

Admission: Free

Address: 2300 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City

10 Overholser Mansion

Founder of Oklahoma City, Henry Overholser built the first grand home in the city, and the lovely 1903 structure still stands as the Overholser Mansion. The three-story French chateau-style house features English carpets, French stained glass, and Antwerp fine oak paneling. Visitors can walk through the furnished rooms. There are also tales of hauntings at the house.

Where to Stay in Oklahoma City for Sightseeing

To explore the sights, the best place to stay in Oklahoma City is the city center, where there are several upscale neighborhoods, including Bricktown and the Business District. This is also where many of the city's attractions are located. Below are some highly-rated hotels in convenient locations:

Luxury Hotels: Built in 1912, the 12-story Colcord Hotel was Oklahoma's first skyscraper and today combines some of the original charms with updated, modern luxury. The hotel is centrally located near the Cox Convention Center and within walking distance of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The posh Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection is in a 1920s Art Deco building in Midtown, just a short stroll from the Bricktown Entertainment District. In a fabulous, historic landmark building, The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City was recently renovated and restored and has a great central location in the downtown area.

Mid-Range Hotels: In the heart of Bricktown, Homewood Suites by Hilton is an all-suite hotel with full kitchens, an indoor pool, fitness center, and business center. Nearby, the Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown Bricktown is a stylish, contemporary hotel with a small pool, large fitness center, and plenty of casual space for meeting other travelers. Near the Myriad Botanical Gardens, in the Business District, the Sheraton Oklahoma City is well positioned for sightseeing.

Budget Hotels: True budget hotels are found a short distance from the city center. A 15-minute drive outside the downtown area, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, near the airport, is a great choice, with comfortable rooms and reasonable prices. Near the junction of I-35 and I-44, the Sleep Inn & Suites offers good value and is only about 15 minutes from downtown. South of the city center, off I-240, the Hampton Inn and Suites Oklahoma City-South features comfortable, spacious suites.

More Things to Do in Oklahoma City

Science Museum Oklahoma

Science Museum Oklahoma presents ever-changing exhibits intended to engage, delight, and educate. Though kids are the main audience, adults, too, can learn and explore the science-themed galleries. A theater and planetarium both present regular shows.

Harn Homestead and 1889er Museum

Harn Homestead in Oklahoma City was the former estate of William Fremont Harn, a land agent who investigated disputes arising from the 1889 land run. The Victorian-style farmhouse was built in 1904 and is now preserved as a museum dedicated to Oklahoma's settlement and heritage.

Oklahoma Firefighters' Museum

The Oklahoma Firefighters' Museum was formed in 1968, but contains a much older stock of antique fire-fighting tools. Some of the fire apparatus, transportation, and machinery on display has been used since 1736, and the museum also houses the first fire station in the Oklahoma Territory, which was built in 1869.